First tugboat reaches ship stranded off Mexico

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This photo released by the U.S. Navy shows the Carnival Splendor, a cruise ship stranded about 250 miles off the coast of California on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. The ship, which left from Long Beach, Calif. on Sunday, was 200 miles south of San Diego when an engine room fire cut its power early Monday, according to a statement from Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship began drifting off the coast of northern Baja California. Navy helicopters shuttled in supplies Tuesday to 4,500 passengers and crew members expected to remain stranded on the disabled cruise ship through Wednesday night. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan McChord)

November 10, 2010 6:17:24 AM PST

By JULIE WATSON Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) - November 9, 2010 --

A cruise line says the first of several tugboats has reached a ship stranded off the coast of Mexico and has begun pulling it to San Diego.

Carnival Cruise Lines said in a statement that the first Mexican tugboat reached the Carnival Splendor and its 4,500 passengers and crew on Tuesday afternoon. More tugboats are en route.